'Record: July 2018, Eishu Juvenile Detention Center, Nishitokyo City'
'Above the exercise yard'
'Special grade imaginary vengeful spirit (name undetermined)'
'Several non-sorcerers witnessed its cursed womb'
'Upon learning of this emergency, four first-year students from Jujutsu High were dispatched'
A light rain drizzled from the gray sky, as though it had swallowed all the city's colors, leaving only a thin veil of gloom.
My spirits sank, and a damp chill spread through my body from the inside out.
I sneezed. Seeing this, Megumi Fushiguro took off his jacket and draped it over me. I gave him a grateful smile.
[Main storyline detected. Issuing a mission to the host.] [Main mission: Prevent Yuji Itadori from making a binding vow with Ryomen Sukuna.] [Mission reward: 15% proficiency in Reverse Cursed Technique.] [Reverse Cursed Technique? Is that the Reverse Cursed Technique I'm thinking of?] [Yes, host, but this is the system version. Not only can you heal yourself, you can heal others too! You can also increase your proficiency through repeated near-death experiences. Once you've fully mastered it, you can revive as long as even a sliver of your soul remains.] [Ah, having to keep coming close to death sounds so painful, waaah...] [Don't be scared, host. Little Eight will turn on pain reduction for you!] [Little Eight, I'm so lucky to have you.]
I snapped back to the present.
"...The second dormitory for inmates. Five inmates are currently trapped there with the cursed womb. If the cursed womb completes its metamorphosis, we predict it will become a special grade cursed spirit."
"Special grade..." Everyone's expression turned grave at those words.
Until...
"Uh, I still have no idea what 'special grade' means." Yuji looked utterly bewildered.
"Then let me explain it in a way even an idiot can understand."
"Why do I feel like Mr. Ijichi is taking a jab at me...?"
Nobara finally lost her patience and punched Yuji.
"Shut up, idiot!"
"Ahem. I'll continue, then. Assuming conventional weapons worked against cursed spirits: grade 4, a wooden bat would easily do the job; grade 3, a handgun would barely put your mind at ease; grade 2, a shotgun could just about handle it; grade 1 or semi-grade 1, even a tank would struggle. Next is special grade. Even carpet bombing with cluster bombs probably wouldn't work..."
"That's way too strong!"
Yuji Itadori looked completely stunned.
"...Normally, a jujutsu sorcerer of the same grade as the cursed spirit should be sent on the mission. For example, Gojo should have come today, but he's away on business." Megumi Fushiguro closed his eyes.
"O-oh, I see..."
"He wasn't meant to be stuck doing idle work at Jujutsu High in the first place."
'Don't expect me to bring back souvenirs~'
"Unfortunately, understaffing is the norm in this line of work. We often receive assignments that are beyond our capabilities."
Exactly. Yet even with such a shortage of people, those higher-ups are still hurting their own...
Ijichi adjusted his glasses. "However, this is an exceptional emergency. Under no circumstances are you to engage in combat. If you encounter a special grade, your only choices are to run or die. Listen to your fear."
"Do not forget: your only mission is to locate and rescue survivors."
A heavy tension settled over us. This was the first time everyone had truly realized the gap in strength.
I smiled and broke the somber atmosphere. "Relax, relax. I'm a special grade, remember? I'll keep you all safe!"
Ijichi turned to me. "Miss Takechi, even though you're a special grade, please exercise the utmost caution!"
"I will." I nodded solemnly.
"Excuse me, please, Tadashi..."
The commotion at the main gate drew everyone's attention, and we looked over.
"Don't come any closer! Please step back! Step back!"
"Tadashi... Is my son Tadashi all right...?"
A middle-aged woman pleaded with us, her eyes brimming with tears.
Sensing that something was wrong with Yuji Itadori's mood, I pulled him over, blocking the woman's view of him, and patted his hand reassuringly.
"Yuji, are you okay?"
Looking at his companions' worried faces, Yuji Itadori forced a smile. "I'm fine. Sorry for worrying everyone."
Mr. Ijichi stepped forward to shield us, turning his head to murmur, "She's a guardian here for a visit."
"Please go home! We currently suspect that someone has released poison inside the facility. I'm sorry, but we can't disclose any further details at this time."
"How could this..." The woman's hands fell limply to her sides. Then she crouched down, covered her face with both hands, and sobbed.
I watched it all in silence.
Yuji Itadori looked at us, his voice filled with indignation. "Fushiguro, Kugisaki, Takechi, let's go save them!"
"Of course." Nobara made it clear that went without saying.
"Yeah."
I didn't answer, because I already knew how this would end.
"...Let's go in."
Before you continue